The indigenous peoples of the Southwest are from a number of
distinctive cultures.
From the Pueblo cliff dwellers to the nomadic Plainsman, the Native
Americans of the region
have fascinated outsiders interested in discovering the American
Southwest. These visitors hoped to discover for themselves this other way
of being, seemingly more simple, less hectic than what Anglo-American
society offered. Particularly attractive was the fact that the
Native American cultures had complex religious beliefs and
ceremonies as well as skilled artisans. These artisans created
beautifully crafted pieces, some tied to their distinctive rituals while
other pieces were created from skills learned from other cultures.

For example, the Navajos learned weaving from the Pueblo Indians and
silversmithing from the Spanish. Interestingly, the first collectors of
Indian arts and crafts
were other Indians. Pieces by these artistic weavers, potters, basketmakers
and silversmiths were highly valued and desired. As the eastern
Anglo-Americans'
interest peaked about the Southwest and the Indian populations, so did
the opportunity for selling indigenous artifacts.

In the mid 1870's, government licensed traders could operate trading
posts on Indian Reservations. Lorenzo Hubbell established the first trading
post on the Navajo Indian Reservation at Ganado, Arizona in 1878, becoming
the best known trader and leading rug dealer in Arizona. Lorenzo, who sold
Indian products, often stated, "A good Navajo blanket is better than having
money in the bank." Other traders and dealers soon followed: John B. Moore
at Crystal, New Mexico; Richard Wetherill of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico;
Babbitt Brothers Trading Company at Flagstaff, Arizona; and the famous
Fred Harvey, who established shops and hotels along the Santa Fe Railroad
line, featured Indians handicrafts for purchase by the traveler, curio
collector or museum.

By the late 1800's and early 1900's, Indian traders and dealers were
circulating souvenir pamphlets and mail-order catalogues that advertised
Indian merchandise for sale. These pieces were guaranteed to be handmade
and genuine.
Dealers, also known as boosters, even promised special orders of Indian
crafted objects that were compatible with eastern decor. Soon the demands
of Anglo-American tastes and preferences coupled with economic pressures
influenced the designs, colors and types of Indian handicrafts produced,
but the traditional process and tools remained unchanged.

Featured here are examples of some of the brochures, souvenir pamphlets
and catalogues used by traders, dealers, railroad companies, government
agencies, and others as promotional strategies arts and crafts.

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In this reprint from Lore, Ritzenhaler addresses Indian cradles:
the names, purposes, types, styles, traditions, and differences in cradles
among various North American tribes. Photographs and illustrations of cradles
by Kwakiutl, Hopi, Pomo, Chippewa, Paiute, Sioux, and Chinook accompany
the text. The publication provides a short bibliography as well as advertisements
on additional publications produced by the Milwaukee Public Museum.

This Babbitt Brothers' promotional brochure describes various "Indian
industries" such as: blankets, basketry,
pottery, silver work, and relics. Aside from a particular emphasis
on Navajo weaving and silver work, the author largely speaks in general terms
about other Indian crafts, making brief references to Zuni, Pueblo, and Moqui pottery
and to Mojave bead work. The brochure provides black and white photographs of
many of the crafts available in
the Hall of Curios.

"Out of a remote past has been
handed from generation to generation among the
Southwestern Indians a group of symbolic designs used in decoration and
ceremony." So begins this small tri-fold pamphlet printed in red, white and
black which graphically details
numerous "Indian symbols and their meanings as interpreted by modern Indian
craftsmen." In addition to a chart of Indian symbols, the pamphlet
contains two
narratives about the Navajo Rugs and Indian Jewelry and relate the process in brief
of creating these crafts.

This brief pamphlet provides a table of "Indian Symbols" and their
meanings which "are found in the
decorations of ceremonial altars and the designs of Pottery, Baskets and
Blankets and are used in Indian Design Silver."

In Facts About the Navajos, R.M. Bruchman, a trading post
proprietor, along with an unnamed writer depict from their viewpoint various aspects of Navajo
Indian history, social customs, communal life, weaving and language.

Zane Grey's introduction stimulates the human senses by his vivid
description
of Arizona and New Mexico. Whether by railroad, motor car or horseback,
any curious traveler would be convinced they must experience the numerous
sights and adventures depicted in this picturesque travel brochure, from
the cliff dwellings of the Indian Pueblos to the Colorado River in the
Grand Canyon.

From the front cover to the last page, this eye-dazzling
catalogue promises the customer it all -- the most exquisite, durable and
economical blanket or rug anywhere, including special orders for any desired
size, color and
design. Mr. Lester assures the buyer that no imitation product will be
sold due to his direct supervision over the Indian weavers and his
personal inspection of their handicrafts and in addition, all merchandise
"sold by us bears under seal our positive warranty of genuineness."

Indians on the front cover crossing the mountains on horseback invite
the public to witness 14 different tribes, performing over 40 ceremonial
dances before they, the Indian, become extinct. The 5th annual ceremony
appears to be a joint promotional endeavor by both the "white" and "red"
man, but for different purposes: the Indians' aspiration to preserve their
cultural heritage, and the Santa Fe Railroad's and hotels' desire for financial
profit.

"A Weaver at Her Loom "
identifies the image of the Indian
woman with her infant child at her side, squatting as she tediously, but
skillfully weaves and creates her traditional Navajo rug. According to
the brochure she is know as Yis-clo-yazzi (Little Weaver) who learned to
weave as a little girl and now if you, the buyer, purchase her artistic
product as a souvenir or gift from Drolet Trading Post then, "you are directly
encouraging the arts and crafts of the original American."

This
colorful pamphlet presents a brief, but accurate overview of
the Indians artists of New Mexico, highlighting important historical facts,
traditions and techniques that not only influence the artisans' work but
also explain why these skilled professionals excel as painters, weavers,
potters and silversmiths. The New Mexico State Tourist Bureau also provides
educational documentation about the various Indian tribes, including their
population, language, religion, reservations and pueblos, government, and
points of interest for the traveling tourists.

Examples of southwestern handicrafts decorate the brochure provided by
entrepreneur Fred Harvey for "the Santa Fe travelers and for the purpose
of promoting a greater appreciation of the native products of the
Southwest". Travelers could purchase these authentic hand-made
collectibles from the Harvey collection either on the Santa Fe train, at
the Indian Building in Albuquerque, the Indian Shop in Santa
Fe, or the Hopi House of the Grand Canyon.

Any visitor to Santa Fe would appreciate this informative guidebook,
complete with a brief history, numerous advertisements, points of
interest, available recreation, and a special feature of New Mexico's 17
Indian Pueblos. Visitors are provided with directions and highlights for
each pueblo, warned about taking pictures without permission, and
informed that although "few Indians are talkative...they enjoy seeing
white visitors even more than the visitors enjoy seeing them."

"Arizona, Rich in Indian Culture and Lore" reads the caption that
advertises this beautifully illustrated full page lithograph of Arizona
Indians, featuring over 14 different tribes and their ancient pottery
types, 19 reservations, national monuments and cliff dwellings.

This attractive brochure promoted by the
Santa Fe Railway offers
the traveler an opportunity to experience various scenic and historical
attractions through Indian country by special motor cruises provided by
Indian-Detours Transportation Company. No trip would be complete without
seeing the amazing prehistoric cliffs and cave dwellings or visiting
famous Pueblo villages where Indians dressed in primitive costume and performed
ceremonial dances and rituals. Besides, "an Indian-detour is like
exploring a new land with a friend who knows it well."

Any tourist would be enchanted by the Taos described in this booklet,
famous for its beauty, scenery, historical interest, artist colony and
indigenous culture. The promoter, Denver and Rio Grande Railroad,
invites tourists to enjoy Taos' wonderful climate, recreational
activities, and visit the historical Indian Pueblo. "Here three races,
three languages and three civilizations" meet annually for the Taos
Pueblo Fiesta of San Geronimo. Here tourist can witness the gathering of
Indians, Mexicans, and Americans participating in an ancient lively,
colorful event, "an Indians' old-time Harvest Festival, celebrated long
before the Spanish Conquistadors set foot on New Mexican Soil".